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A Globetrotting Guide to
the Internet Our pace quickens as we enter the high, flat Klamath Basin country. We cross the Williamson River and follow its course for the next 15 miles to Kirk. Near Yamsay the skyline on the left is broken by jagged Mt. Theilsen and Mt. Scott. Between these two landmarks can be seen the remains of Mt. Mazama which now forms the rim of Crater Lake. This lake lies in the center of an extinct volcano 6,177 feet above sea level. It is six miles long and four miles wide, with walls rising 1,000 feet from the water's edge to the rim. Named for an Indian chief, Chemult is the gateway to Crater Lake National Park. Leaving Chemult we turn west passing Umli and Crescent Lake, in quick succession. Delightful vistas of beautiful Odell Lake can be seen on the right as we follow this magnificent body of water for four miles. The lake is 2,000 feet deep in places, giving it a beautiful blue shade which sets off Maiden Peak in the distance. Odell Lake is a top fishing spot, with trout ranging around 25 pounds, and up to 50. Emerging from a tunnel at Cascade Summit we cross the divide at Willamette Pass. Here we meet the headwaters of the Willamette River, a water course we will roughly follow all the way to Portland. From this point our train begins a gradual descent of the Cascade Range, using the steep-walled Salt Canyon. For more than 60 miles the route roughly parallels the trail over which the pioneers toiled on the last leg of their journey into the Willamette Valley. There are numerous views as we gradually descend, passing through tunnels and clinging to the sides of steep cliffs. Turning sharply, we take a northeasterly course for five miles, cross Salt Creek, and make another hairpin turn passing McCredie Springs, a popular health resort centered around mineral springs. At Westfir the tracks cross to the east bank of the Willamette River, the trees open up and the terrain becomes less rugged. Increasing industrial and lumbering activity indicate we are in the suburb of Springfield. After crossing the Willamette River, we pass the University of Oregon campus and enter Eugene. Leaving Eugene, we pass through a region of prosperous farms and small communities. This is the Willamette Valley, with the Cascade Mountains on the right and the Coast Range on the left. Crossing the Willamette River south of Harrisburg, we enter a vast grain and seed production area sometimes referred to as The Plains of Lebanon. Tangent is named for the railroad term for the straight track on which we have been traveling since Harrisburg. Rising on the right side are the volcano cones of Ward Butte and Saddle Butte. Albany is on the Willamette at the mouth of the Calapooya River and an important commercial center. As we travel north from Albany we see a llama farm at Marion. The Cascade Range looms into view on the right near Turner. Salem is the state capital and second largest city in Oregon. To the left, as we depart the city, are the Capital and Supreme Court buildings. We quickly pass through Gervais, Woodburn and Hubbard in a region famous for its raspberries, blackberries, loganberries and strawberries and cross the Pudding River departing Aurora. The Willamette River closes in on the left as we reach Oregon City. Willamette Falls is on the left. Oregon City was founded in 1842, it was the end of the Oregon Trail and the original capital of Oregon Territory. We continue to follow the Willamette River north through the suburbs of Clackamas and Milwaukie then cross the river to enter historic Portland Union Station, opened in 1896. Portland lies on both sides of the Willamette River. One of the nation's important fresh water ports and a port-of-entry, Portland is Oregon's largest metropolitan area. Known for its parks, fountains, gardens and jazz festivals, the "City of Roses" was in full bloom for its Rose Festival. Departing Portland, our train follows the Willamette through the busy industrial section of the city then turns to cross the river and the Columbia River. On the opposite bank is Vancouver, Washington, the oldest continuous settlement in the Northwest, established as a fort in 1825. From here to Kelso-Longview, we follow the Columbia River. <<
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